Author's Letterbook Copy

Need for Fine-Grained Powder; Placement of Spies, General Returns for Supplies, and Preparations for Offensive

Wayne discusses the need for the fine-grained powder he has been requesting. Spies/scouts are now present in each of the counties where they are needed. Enclosed is the General Returns on the ordinance and military stores on hand. He awaits Knox's orders to descend the Ohio River but warns that the river is low. Transport should begin at the first instant that the river is sufficiently high.

1793

04

13

Legion Ville

Cited in Knox to Wayne, 04/20/1793.

Spans Images 206-208 of this collection.

Cited document addressed to the War Office

Henry Knox

Anthony Wayne

Quartermaster General

Major Burbeck

the Legion

the light corps

spies or scouts

County Lieutenants

the President

Major Craig

Legion Ville

Pittsburgh

the western Country

Counties of Westmoreland, Allegheny, & Washington in Pennsylvania

Ohio County in Virginia

Quartermaster General's requisition for stores

battle powder

the finest grain

powder indispensably necessary for the Light Corps

improved muskets

circular letters to the several County Lieutenants

General Returns of Ordinance & military stores

Quartermaster's stores of clothing received, issued, and on hand

waters are uncommonly low

the very first rise of the River

no certainty in the navigation of the Ohio after the first of May

I now wait in hourly expectation of [sic] for your particular orders to descend the River.

1793041353555

206

2

No. 54 To Major Genl Knox Secy of War Legionville 13 April 1793.
Sir,
I have been honor'd by the receipt of your letter of the 30th ultimo in which you mention that "the Quarter Masters Generals requisition for stores had not arrived" this must be owing to the dilatoriness, who is not worthy of trust and who was dismissed last year upon that account, nor does he arrive at Pittsburgh until Sunday in place of Friday which prevents early answers to letters of consequence, unless by an extra express.
It must have been a mistake in Major Burbeck to call a certain quantity of powder battle powder it is that kind of powder of which I sent you a sample last summer, i.e. of the finest grain and first quality 7 quicker than than any rifle powder in our magazine, but not [glaized?] this is a powder indispensibly necessary, for the light corps which I shall immediately form upon the junction of the Legion and who are to be armed with the improved muskets.
The spies or scouts mentioned in my letter of the 30th ultimo are now and have always been in service ever since I came to the Western Country - at least those for the counties of Westmoreland, Alleghany & Washington in Pennsylvania and Ohio County in Virginia; and I rather conclude that all the other counties have them - however to put it out of question I will write circular letters to several County Lieutenants upon this subject and should have done it sooner had I not thought it necessary to wait for the decision of the President agreeably to your letter of the 5th ultimo.
Enclosed are the General Returns of Ordnance & Military Stores and of the Quarter Masters Stores of clothing received issued and on hand at this place up to the 1st instant. I ordered similar returns to be made by the the Quartermaster General & Major Craig of those at Pittsburgh which you will receive by this post.
I now wait in hourly expectation of for your particular orders to descend the River and also for your decision upon the several subjects submitted in my letters of the 22d & 30th ultimo & of the 5th instant.
I also beg leave to inform you that the waters are uncommonly low at this season and that we ought to improve the very first rise of the River in order to descend it, in fact, there is no certainty in the navigation of the Ohio after the first of May.
I am Sir your most obedt & very huml Servt
A Wayne
The Honble Major Genl Knox Secy of War